Apparatus with a force-sensing instrument for magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

An apparatus for measuring work performed by a subject in a magnetic resonance imaging device is provided which includes an actuating bar, an elastomer band positioned inside the actuating bar, a tower and roller bearing, and a pivot base supporting the actuating bar, the elastomer band positioned inside the actuating bar, and the tower and roller bearing. A force-sensing instrument for use in a magnetic resonance imaging device is provided, which includes a strain gauge cemented to a surface of an actuating device that is operable in a magnetic resonance imaging device. A surface coil holder having four degrees of freedom is provided. The surface coil holder is capable of being attached to a scanner table of an exercise apparatus. The surface coil holder includes a coil cradled in the coil holder and secured by hook and loop strips.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus for measuring work performed by a subject in a magnetic resonance imaging device, comprising:
 an actuating bar,   an elastomer band positioned inside the actuating bar,   a tower and roller bearing, and   a pivot base supporting the actuating bar, the elastomer band positioned inside the actuating bar, and the tower and roller bearing.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least four attach points to position, mount, and secure the apparatus to a secondary device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the secondary device is a magnetic resonance imaging device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a magnetic resonance coil. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the magnetic resonance coil is positioned close to an isocenter of a magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging device, and the vastus lateralis muscle of the subject and a primary axis of the magnetic resonance coil are parallel to a magnetic field within a bore of the magnetic resonance imaging device. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a material is selected from a group consisting of polyvinylchloride (PVC), common PVC cement, and non-magnetic stainless steel, nylon, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is adjustable to accommodate subjects from 60 inches to 77 inches in height. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuating bar has a single adjustment point to extend length of the actuating bar to match a subject's distal leg length. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus provides for the correct positioning of a leg of the subject. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the apparatus isolates movement of the leg in the y-axis direction. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuating bar comprises a pivot point with a slip bearing to withstand torque in two axes. 
     
     
         12 . A method for executing a magnetic resonance imaging protocol comprising:
 (a) positioning and attaching an apparatus to a scanner couch of a magnetic resonance imaging device; and   (b) positioning a subject on the apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises:
 a surface coil positioned close to an isocenter of a magnet of the magnetic resonance imaging device, 
 an actuating bar, 
 an elastomer band positioned inside the actuating bar, 
 a tower and roller bearing, 
 a pivot base supporting the actuating bar, the elastomer band positioned inside the actuating bar, and the tower and roller bearing, 
 at least four attach points to position, mount, and secure the apparatus to the magnetic resonance imaging device; and 
 a coil holder comprising the surface coil cradled in the coil holder and secured by a hook and loop strips. 
   
     
     
         13 . A force-sensing instrument for use in a magnetic resonance imaging device, comprising a strain gauge cemented to a surface of an actuating device that is operable in a magnetic resonance imaging device. 
     
     
         14 . The force-sensing instrument according to  claim 13 , wherein the strain gauge is a copper foil electrical circuit, which is bonded to a thin plastic film. 
     
     
         15 . The force-sensing instrument according to  claim 13 , wherein the strain gauge comprises two strain devices cemented to an actuating bar of the actuating device, and separated by about 180±2 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The force-sensing instrument according to  claim 15 , wherein the two strain devices form a Wheatstone bridge circuit along with two precision resistors, such that the two strain devices are positioned to sense strain in only one axis from a torque in a bar thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The force-sensing instrument according to  claim 13 , further comprising a position indicator device. 
     
     
         18 . The force-sensing instrument according to  claim 13 , further wherein the force-sensing instrument fits within an actuating bar of the actuating device. 
     
     
         19 . A magnetic resonance imaging device comprising the force-sensing instrument according to  claim 13 , wherein the actuating device is adjustable to accommodate subjects from 60 inches to 77 inches in height. 
     
     
         20 . A method of using the force-sensing instrumentation of  claim 13 , comprising the steps of:
 attaching the force-sensing instrumentation to an ergometer attached to the scanner table of a magnetic resonance imaging device;   adjusting the force-sensing instrumentation to accommodate a subject;   operating the force-sensing instrumentation by the subject;   delivering data obtained by the force-sensing instrumentation to a control room;   performing a magnetic resonance imaging scan of the subject;   delivering data obtained from the magnetic resonance imaging scan of the subject to the control room;   further wherein the step of operating the force-sensing instrumentation and the step of performing a magnetic resonance imaging scan overlap.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the steps of:
 determining a relative amount of work being done by the subject while operating the force sensing instrumentation based on the data obtained by the force-sensing instrumentation and the data obtained by the magnetic resonance imaging scan.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further wherein data obtained by the force-sensing instrumentation is delivered to the control room using Cath RJ45 connector jacks. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , further wherein data obtained by the force-sensing instrumentation is delivered to the control room using a Cat7 cable. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , further wherein the force-sensing instrumentation comprises:
 a low noise circuit that is operable while in the presence of time varying magnetic fields produced during the performing a magnetic resonance imaging scan.